Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that his country would stand up for Al-Aqsa Mosque against any Israeli attack; describing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “tyrant, who massacres children”, local media reported. While speaking at the inauguration of new public service programmes in Ankara, Erdogan said that the Turks would not remain silent regarding the dangers facing Al-Aqsa Mosque even if the world does. Turkey, he said, would maintain its struggle for Jerusalem until the holy city is administrated in a way that is appropriate to the Islamic world. He also warned that his country would call for punishing Israel over its aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque in front of the international community. Responding to Netanyahu’s tirade of insults against him and Turkey, Erdogan said: “Hey Netanyahu, behave yourself. You are a tyrant, you are a tyrant who massacred seven-year-old Palestinian children.” "Look, we have not oppressed any of the Jews in this country. We have not done anything you did to any synagogues here. Do not provoke us. We will not fall into this trap.” Erdogan’s remarks came in the wake of Netanyahu stressing that Israel is the nation-state of the “Jewish people –Jewish people alone.” According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu hit back and said: “Turkey’s dictator Erdogan attacks Israel’s democracy while Turkish journalists and judges fill his prisons. What a joke!” Ignoring Israeli police’s attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinians in the occupied territories, Netanyahu added: “Erdogan should learn from us how to respect all religions and uphold human rights.” AFP.